Well anyway you want to slice it 1966 was one of the pivotal music years in the history of rock and soul music.  It was both absolutely dominated by immense artists like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Supremes, the Temptations & Simon & Garfunkel, while at the same time boasted seemingly infinite number of fantastic one-off hits by lesser artists in both the soul & the rock realms.  1967 is really thought to be the beginning of the album r0ck era and with good reason.  If you follow my blog post on 1967 I had trouble narrowing a list of the 20 best albums as there are just too damn many.  For 1966 I had trouble coming up with 15 standouts.  But that said three of the very best albums of all-time fell in 1966- the Beatles “Revolver”, the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” and Bob Dylan’s “Blonde On Blonde”.  If those albums were all that 1966 produced I would still call it a great year.  Anyone interested in either of these wide-reaching genres will find plenty else to love as well though.

’64 was the first year of the British Invasion in America, but in 1966 the sound was still dominating the airwaves, though led by the Beatles the sound was becoming less homogenous, more psychedelic and harder edged.  Outside of “Revolver”, my personal favorite album of all-time, the Rolling Stones released “Aftermath”, which contained more sophisticated and game-changing songs like “Under My Thumb” and especially “Paint It Black”.  The Who released a slew of amazing singles as well as the “A Quick One” album, including their first stab at a rock opera in the title track.  The Kinks “Face to Face” was their first great album.  Slightly lesser known bands like Them, which featured a young Van Morrison on vocals, released their second album, and the Small Faces- like the Kinks way bigger in their home country than in America came out with their self-titled debut.  The Hollies solidified their standing as one of the best of the second tier BI groups with tracks like “Bus Stop”.  Hard rocking tracks by lesser known groups like the Creation, the Eyes, the Troggs & the Easybeats (originally from Australia) all contributed great tracks as well.

On the bluesier side the first super-group Cream, a power trio featuring Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker & Eric Clapton, released their debut album “Fresh Cream” which would become heavily influential on all Heavy Metal and southern jam bands of the early 70’s.  Clapton was first in the Yardbirds, a pioneering group which combined blues, psychedelia & British Invasion Pop.  They released their best long player in ’66 with “Roger the Engineer”.  Though Clapton was no longer in the group, the Yardbirds instead featured the talents of future legends Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck on guitar.  Earlier in the year Clapton also did a record with John Mayall that remains one of the seminal blues rock albums ever- “John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton”.  Amazing that Clapton had already done enough with the Yardbirds to get a feature like that before he even started working with Cream.  Though they were a bit less prolific than in the previous year, Eric Burdon’s Animals released some great cuts in ’66 as well like “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “Inside Looking Out”.  It would be their last year before Burdon wrested full control of the group and took them in a more hippie direction.  One of the most promising debuts in late ’66 came from an American- singer/guitarist Jimi Hendrix released his debut single “Hey Joe” with his brand of British mates the Experience.  It goes without saying that we would hear more from them in the next few years.  America was in the midst of a Blues revival mode- old schoolers like John Lee Hooker, Son House & B.B. King sat alongside relative newcomers like Albert King, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band added great tracks to the lexicon.  Like much 0f the great American music, it took younger British musicians collecting, acknowledging and paying tribute to the Blues to bring it to light to a wider American audience.

1966 was one of Motown and soul music’s greatest years.  For Motown, perhaps three of its four of five greatest vocal groups towered above the rest.  The Supremes, the Temptations & the Four Tops were all peaking.  Each had great single after great single on the charts and were some of the only groups to truly challenge the dominance of the Beatles and the Stones- at least in the top Forty.  Some great single tracks by Edwin Starr, the Contours, the Marvelettes (more prolific in earlier years), Jr. Walker, the Isley Brothers, the Elgins & Jimmy Ruffin added much to Motown as well as did the emerging star power of Stevie Wonder (shedding his Little Stevie Wonder monicker) and the incredibly talented Marvin Gaye, who released the first of his great duets- this one with Kim Weston, rather than Tammi Terrell.  Atlantic Records & Stax Volt competed heavily with Motown in the mid 60’s offering a grittier, funkier edge.  The music was designed to specifically cater to blacks rather than to crossover to the mainstream white audience.  But much of it was so good that it crossed over anyway.  The best of these artists, like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave & Percy Sledge offered up some of the most enduring soul songs ever that year- “Try a Little Tenderness”, “Land of a 1000 Dances”, “Hold On I’m Coming!” & ” When A Man Loves a Woman”- all ’66.  There were many other great soul songs recorded on different labels- many of them were done in the deep south in Rick Hall’s FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, featuring a crack band the equal of the great Stax & Motown house bands.  Artists like James Carr, Billy Stewart, Bobby Moore, Lorraine Ellison, Bobby Hebb, Bob Kuban & his Inmen & James & Bobby Purify all had standout deep soul cuts.  In New Orleans Lee Dorsey, Robert Parker & Aaron Neville contributed some of their signature jams.  Ike & Tina Turner released the amazing Phil Spector production “River Deep-Mountain High”, a huge hit in the U.k. and unbelievably a equally huge flop in the states.  The Godfather of Soul James Brown was prolific as ever- in the middle of his extraordinary run of hits running from the mid 50’s through the mid 70’s without even the hint of a breather in between.

Blue-eyed soul (soul music performed by white people) was also becoming a factor.  NYC’s the Rascals became huge hit makers right out of the gate with 1966 hits like “Good Lovin'” and “You Better Run”.  Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels from uhhhh…Detroit combined soul & garage rock for an extra gritty BE-Soul.  Across the pond, Dusty Springfield was still three years away from her landmark “Dusty in Memphis” blue-eyed soul album.  Hits like “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” were more tied to the earlier girl group era, but her beautiful song “Goin’ Back” helped set the tone for what came after.  Speaking of girl groups, outside of the huge Motown groups like the Supremes, the Marvelettes & Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the girl group era was largely coming to an end.  Still groups like the Chiffons, the Shangri-Las, Evie Sands & Reparta & the Delrons each managed at least one classic on the way out.  The Folk-rock which the Byrds & the Lovin’ Spoonful largely invented in 1965 was in full swing by ’66.  Though L.A.’s Byrds took their music a step further into psychedelia with their instant classic “Eight Miles High”, probably one of the best and most groundbreaking songs of the entire decade.  NYC’s Spoonful had a run of hits in ’66 as well including the greats “Summer in the City” and “Daydream”.  Elsewhere in New York, the duo Simon & Garfunkel really rose to prominence largely on the re-release of their acoustic song “The Sound of Silence”, which added electric guitar and other rock elements sending it swiftly up the charts.  Their albums “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme” and “The Sound of Silence” contained some of their most beloved songs and by years end they were one of the biggest groups in America.  Outside of the Byrds, L.A.’s other two great folk rock groups were the Mamas & the Papas who released their biggest album “If You Could Believe Your Eyes & Ears” and their signature song “California Dreamin'”, and the Buffalo Springfield who released their debut album and signature song “For What Its Worth”.  Members Neil Young & Stephen Stills in particular would move onto even bigger and better things later.  Outside of England, L.A. was probably the best music scene in the world in ’66.  Arthur Lee’s Love released their debut album.  Frank Zappa’s Mothers Of Invention released their debut “Freak Out!” as well- both of those albums became a big influence on the Avant-Garde as well.  The Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” was a commercial bomb at the time, but was critically lauded and over the years thought of as one of the most sophisticated, beautiful and best pop albums ever recorded.  “Pet Sounds” legacy has increased each year.  On top of that album, which even if a bomb managed two top forty hits in “Woudn’t It Be Nice” and Sloop John B”, they released the #1 single “Good Vibrations” (another track which gets lumped in among the greatest of all time), which was the leadup to the Beach Boys “Smile” album which didn’t get a proper release until a year ago.  The prefabricated Monkees released their debut, which had a few great songs.  Though the Monkees are still mocked for not doing their own writing or playing, the truth is a little fuzzier.  Some members were writing and playing from the very get-go (namely guitarist/singer Mike Nesmith) while eventually all the band members did.  And most of the Monkees greatest recordings were done later in their career as well- sometimes performed by session players and sometimes not.  Regardless the band’s bevy of hits would enjoy a lasting legacy and many of them are still enjoyed today.

The mid 60’s gave fruit to a slew of garage-rock bands.  Many of them were one hit wonders and the best of them managed 2, 3 or even 4 smashes before calling it a day.  The Seeds, the Standells & the Bobby Fuller Four were some of the best of these groups.  Paul Revere & the Raiders from career had a full-on career. They may be too pop to be considered garage rock but they certainly shared much in common with the genre.  These bands were the antecedents to Punk Rock which came a decade later.  Most of them got by on passion, ideas and attitude rather than musicianship, though certainly both songwriting and playing ability varied between groups.  Many of them were practically carbon copies of the bands they idolized (see the Knickerbockers/Beatles for the best and most obvious example) and some others were session musicians posing as garage-rockers to jump on a trend.  The result was an onslaught of great tracks- anyone who likes hard-edged rock and roll- ourchase the Nuggets Boxed set- I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.  Some other garage rockers who had hits/or great songs in ’66 were the Shadows Of the Knight, the Blues Magoos, the 13th Floor Elevators, the Count Five, the Other Half, the Strangeloves, the Clefs of Lavender Hill, the Electric Prunes, the Mojo Men & ? & the Mysterians with their great #1 single “96 Years”, which may well be the defining track of the whole genre.

 

 

THE BEATLES- REVOLVER

Buy Revolver – The Beatles
Buy RevolverAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

SIMON & GARFUNKEL- PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY & THYME

Buy Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Remastered) – Simon & Garfunkel
Buy Parsley Sage Rosemary & ThymeAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE KINKS- FACE TO FACE

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy Face to FaceAmazon

 

 

 

 
THE ROLLING STONES- AFTERMATH

Buy Aftermath – The Rolling Stones
Buy Aftermath UKAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRANK ZAPPA/MOTHERS OF INVENTION- FREAK OUT!

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy Freak OutAmazon

 

 

 

 
THE BYRDS- FIFTH DIMENSION

Buy Fifth Dimension – The Byrds
Buy Fifth DimensionAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD- BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

Buy Buffalo Springfield – Buffalo Springfield
Buy Buffalo SpringfieldAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

JOHN MAYALL- BLUESBREAKERS WITH ERIC CLAPTON

Buy Blues Breakers (with Eric Clapton) [Remastered] – John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Buy BluesbreakersAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE YARDBIRDS- ROGER THE ENGINEER

Buy Roger the Engineer – The Yardbirds
Buy Roger The EngineerAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

OTIS REDDING- THE COMPLETE & UNBELIEVABLE DICTIONARY OF SOUL

Buy The Dictionary of Soul – Otis Redding
Buy The Dictionary Of SoulAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WHO- A QUICK ONE

Buy A Quick One (Happy Jack) [Remastered] – The Who
Buy A Quick OneAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

BOB DYLAN- BLONDE ON BLONDE

Buy Blonde On Blonde – Bob Dylan
Buy Blonde On BlondeAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BEACH BOYS- PET SOUNDS

Buy Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo) – The Beach Boys
Buy Pet SoundsAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SUPREMES- THE SUPREMES ‘A GO GO

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy Supremes A-Go-GoAmazon

 

 

 

 
CREAM- FRESH CREAM                    *I only own select tracks from this album

Buy Fresh Cream (Remastered) – Cream
Buy Fresh CreamAmazon

Best of 1966 Volume 1 (5/13/02)

1.  The Creation- Making Time

Buy Making Time – Rushmore (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
Buy Making TimeAmazon

 

2.  The Who- The Kids Are Alright

Buy The Kids Are Alright (Mono/Stereo Version) – The Who: Greatest Hits
Buy The Kids Are AlrightAmazon

 

3.  Donovan- Sunshine Superman

Buy Sunshine Superman – Sunshine Superman
Buy Sunshine SupermanAmazon

 

4.  The Lovin’ Spoonful- Summer in the City

Buy Summer In the City – Platinum & Gold Collection: The Lovin’ Spoonful
Buy Summer In The City (2003 Remaster)Amazon

 

5.  The Standells- Dirty Water

Buy Dirty Water – The Very Best of the Standells Buy Dirty Water (Album Version)Amazon

 

6.  The Troggs- Wild Thing

Buy Wild Thing – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Troggs
Buy Wild ThingAmazon

 

7.  Sam & Dave- Hold On I’m Coming!

Buy Hold On, I’m Coming – The Best of Sam & Dave
Buy Hold On! I’m A Comin’ (LP/Single Version)Amazon

 

8.  The Four Tops- Reach Out I’ll Be There

Buy Reach Out I’ll Be There – Essential Collection: Four Tops
Buy Reach Out, I’ll Be ThereAmazon

 

9.  Otis Redding- Try a Little Tenderness

Buy Try a Little Tenderness – The Very Best of Otis Redding
Buy Try A Little TendernessAmazon

 

10.  The Beach Boys- God Only Knows

Buy God Only Knows (Stereo Version) – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy God Only Knows (1997 – Remaster)Amazon

 

11.  The Mamas & the Papas- California Dreamin’

Buy California Dreamin’ (Single) – If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (The Mamas and The Papas)
Buy California Dreamin’Amazon

 

12.  The Byrds- Eight Miles High

Buy Eight Miles High – Fifth Dimension
Buy Eight Miles HighAmazon

 

13.  Buffalo Springfield- For What It’s Worth

Buy For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
Buy For What It’s WorthAmazon

 

14.  Simon & Garfunkel- The Sound of Silence

Buy The Sound of Silence – Sounds of Silence
Buy The Sound Of SilenceAmazon

 

15.  The Walker Brothers- The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore

Buy The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore – Scott Walker & the Walker Brothers – 1965-1970
Buy The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine AnymoreAmazon

 

16.  The Rolling Stones- Paint It Black

Buy Paint It Black – Aftermath
Buy Paint It, BlackAmazon

 

17.  The Yardbirds- Shapes of Things

Buy Shapes of Things – Shapes of Things – The Very Best of the Yardbirds
Buy Shapes Of Things – OriginalAmazon

 

18.  Bob Dylan- One Of us Must Know (Sooner or Later)

Buy One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later) – Blonde On Blonde
Buy One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later) (Album Version)Amazon

 

19.  The Temptations- I Know (I’m Losing You)

Buy (I Know) I’m Losing You – Number 1’s: The Temptations
Buy (I Know) I’m Losing YouAmazon

 

20.  The Supremes- You Keep Me Hanging On

Buy You Keep Me Hangin’ On – Number 1’s: Diana Ross & The Supremes
Buy You Keep Me Hangin’ OnAmazon

 

21.  Stevie Wonder- Uptight (Everything’s Alright)

Buy Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Motown 1’s
Buy Uptight (Everything’s Alright)Amazon

 

22.  Ike & Tina Turner- River Deep- Mountain High

Buy River Deep, Mountain High – Proud Mary – The Best of Ike & Tina Turner
Buy River Deep Mountain HighAmazon

 

23.  Frank Sinatra- Summer Wind

Buy Summer Wind – Sinatra: Best of the Best
Buy Summer Wind (Remastered) [The Frank Sinatra Collection]Amazon

 

24.  The Kinks- Sunny Afternoon

Buy Sunny Afternoon – Pirate Radio (Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Version]
Buy Sunny AfternoonAmazon

 

25.  The Beatles- Tomorrow Never Knows

Buy Tomorrow Never Knows – Revolver
*Track not available via Amazon

Best of 1966 Volume 2 (5/16/02)

1.  The Thirteenth Floor Elevators- You’re Gonna Miss Me

Buy You’re Gonna Miss Me – Going Up – The Very Best of the 13th Floor Elevators
Buy You’re Gonna Miss Me – OriginalAmazon

 

2.  The Animals- Don’t Bring Me Down

Buy Don’t Bring Me Down – Retrospective
Buy Don’t Bring Me DownAmazon

 

3.  Wilson Pickett- Ninety-Nine and a Half Won’t Do

Buy Ninety-nine and One-half (Won’t Do) – The Exciting Wilson Pickett
Buy Ninety-Nine And One-Half (Won’t Do) (Remastered Single Version)Amazon

 

4.  Eddie Floyd- Knock On Wood

Buy Knock On Wood – Stax Profiles: Eddie Floyd
Buy Knock On Wood (Single/LP Version)Amazon

 

5.  The Clefs of Lavendar Hill- Stop- Get a Ticket

Buy Stop! Get a Ticket (Single Version – Stereo) – Stop! Get a Ticket
Buy Stop! Get A Ticket (Single Version – Mono)Amazon

 

6.  The Kinks- Dedicated Follower of Fashion

*Tracks not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

7.  The Beach Boys- Good Vibrations

Buy Good Vibrations – Sounds of Summer – The Very Best of The Beach Boys
Buy Good Vibrations (2001 – Remastered)Amazon

 

8.  The Beatles- Rain

Buy Rain – Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2
*Track not available via Amazon

 

9.  J.J. Jackson- But It’s Alright

Buy But It’s Alright – Best of Loma Records – Rise and Fall of a 1960’s Soul Label
Buy But It’s AlrightAmazon

 

10.  Stevie Wonder- Hey Love

Buy Hey Love – Stevie Wonder: Greatest Hits
Buy Hey LoveAmazon

 

11.  The Marvelettes- Don’t Mess With Bill

Buy Don’t Mess With Bill (Single) – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Marvelettes
Buy Don’t Mess With BillAmazon

 

12.  James Brown- It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World

Buy It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World (Album Version) – Number 1’s
Buy It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s WorldAmazon

 

13.  Donovan- Season of the Witch

Buy Season of the Witch – The Essential Donovan
Buy Season Of The WitchAmazon

 

14.  Bob Dylan- Stuck Inside of Memphis with the Memphis Blues Again

Buy Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues

Buy Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Album Version)Amazon

 

15.  Cream- I Feel Free

Buy I Feel Free – Fresh Cream (Remastered)
Buy I Feel FreeAmazon

 

16.  The Temptations- Get Ready

Buy Get Ready – Number 1’s: The Temptations
Buy Get ReadyAmazon

 

17.  The Rolling Stones- Under My Thumb

Buy Under My Thumb – Aftermath
Buy Under My ThumbAmazon

 

18.  Love- My Little Red Book

Buy My Little Red Book – Love (Bonus Tracks)
Buy My Little Red Book (Stereo Version)Amazon

 

19.  The Who- Substitute

Buy Substitute (Single Version) – The Who: Greatest Hits
Buy SubstituteAmazon

 

20.  The Supremes- You Can’t Hurry Love

Buy You Can’t Hurry Love – Number 1’s: Diana Ross & The Supremes
Buy You Can’t Hurry LoveAmazon

 

21.  Percy Sledge- When a Man Loves a Woman

Buy When a Man Loves a Woman – Rhino Hi-Five: Percy Sledge – EP
Buy When A Man Loves A Woman (LP Version)Amazon

 

22.  Simon & Garfunkel- Flowers Never Been with the Rainfall

Buy Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Remastered)
Buy Flowers Never Bend With The RainfallAmazon

 

23.  James Carr- Pouring Water on a Drowning Man

Buy Pouring Water On a Drowning Man – You Got My Mind Messed Up
Buy Pouring Water On A Drowning ManAmazon

 

24.  Lorraine Ellison- Stay With Me

Buy Stay With Me – Beg, Scream & Shout!: The Best of ’60s Soul, Vol. 2
Buy Stay With Me (Single Version) Amazon

Best of 1966 Volume 3 (11/4/03)

1.  The Electric Prunes- I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night

Buy I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) – I Had Too Much to Dream
Buy I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) (Album Version)Amazon

 

2.  The Four Tops- (Shake Me) Wake Me When It’s Over

Buy Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over) [Single Mono] – The Ultimate Collection: Four Tops
Buy Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over)Amazon

 

3.  Ray Charles- Let’s Go Get Stoned

Buy Let’s Go Get Stoned – Genius of Soul
Buy Let’s Go Get StonedAmazon

 

4.  The Byrds- Mr. Spaceman

Buy Mr. Spaceman – Fifth Dimension
Buy Mr. SpacemanAmazon

 

5.  The Yardbirds- Over Under Sideways Down

Buy Over Under Sideways Down – Roger the Engineer / Over Under Sideways Down (Remastered)
Buy Over Under Sideways DownAmazon

 

6.  Wilson Pickett- Land of 1000 Dances

Buy Land of 1000 Dances – The Exciting Wilson Pickett
Buy Land Of 1000 Dances (LP Version)Amazon

 

7.  Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels- Little Latin Lupe-Lu

Buy Little Latin Lupe Lu – Breakout…!!!
Buy Little Latin Lupe Lu (LP Version)Amazon

 

8.  The Rascals- You Better Run

Buy You Better Run (Single Version) – Groovin’
Buy You Better Run (Single Version)Amazon

 

9.  The Remains- Don’t Look Back

Buy Don’t Look Back – Barry & The Remains
Buy Don’t Look BackAmazon

 

10.  The Spencer Davis Group- Keep On Running

Buy Keep On Running – The Best of the Spencer Davis Group
Buy Keep On RunningAmazon

 

11.  The Action- I’ll Keep Holding On

Buy I’ll Keep On Holding On – Keep On Holding On
*Track not available via Amazon

 

12.  The Temptations- Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

Buy Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Number 1’s: The Temptations
Buy Ain’t Too Proud To BegAmazon

 

13.  The Rolling Stones- Out of Time

Buy Out of Time – Flowers (Remastered)
Buy Out Of TimeAmazon

 

14.  The Bobby Fuller Four- I Fought the Law

Buy I Fought the Law – I Fought the Law – The Best of Bobby Fuller Four
Buy I Fought The Law (LP Version)Amazon

 

15.  The Standells- Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White

Buy Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White – The Very Best of the Standells
Buy Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear WhiteAmazon

 

16. Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention- Trouble Every Day

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

17.  Simon & Garfunkel- Hazy Shade of Winter

Buy A Hazy Shade of Winter – The Essential Simon & Garfunkel
Buy A Hazy Shade Of WinterAmazon

 

18.  Bob Dylan- I Want You

Buy I Want You – Blonde On Blonde
Buy I Want YouAmazon

 

19.  Jimmy Ruffin- What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

Buy What Becomes of the Brokenhearted – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jimmy Ruffin
Buy What Becomes Of The BrokenheartedAmazon

 

20.  Otis Redding- Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)

Buy Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) [Single Version] – The Dictionary of Soul
Buy Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)Amazon

 

21.  Marvin Gaye- One More Heartache

Buy One More Heartache (Stereo) – Moods of Marvin Gaye
Buy One More HeartacheAmazon

 

22.  The Hollies- Bus Stop

Buy Bus Stop (Single Version) – The Hollies’ Greatest Hits
Buy Bus Stop (2003 – Remaster)Amazon

 

23.  Manfred Mann- Pretty Flamingo

Buy Pretty Flamingo – The Best of Manfred Mann
Buy Pretty Flamingo (2007 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

24.  The Beatles- And Your Bird Can Sing

Buy And Your Bird Can Sing – Revolver
*Track not available via Amazon

 

25.  The Mamas and the Papas- I Saw Her Again Last Night

Buy I Saw Her Again (Single Version) [Stereo] – The Mamas & The Papas Greatest Hits
Buy I Saw Her AgainAmazon

 

26.  The Beach Boys- Caroline No

Buy Caroline No (Stereo Version) – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy Caroline, No (The Stereo Mix) (1996 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

27.  The Supremes- My World Is Empty Without You

Buy My World Is Empty Without You – Diana Ross & The Supremes: Anthology
Buy My World Is Empty Without YouAmazon

Best of 1966 Volume 4 (11/5/03)

1.  The Beach Boys- Wouldn’t It Be Nice

Buy Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Version) – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy Wouldn’t It Be Nice (2000 – Remaster)Amazon

 

2.  The Lovin’ Spoonful- Daydream

Buy Daydream – Daydream
Buy DaydreamAmazon

 

3.  The Easybeats- Friday On My Mind

Buy Friday On My Mind – The Easybeats: The Definitive Anthology
Buy Friday On My MindAmazon

 

4.  The Swingin’ Medallions- Double Shot O My Baby’s Love

Buy Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) – 60’s Jukebox Hits – Vol. 2
Buy Double Shot of My Baby’s LoveAmazon

 

5.  The Strangeloves- Nighttime

Buy Night-Time – I Want Candy: The Best of the Strangeloves
Buy Night-TimeAmazon

 

6.  The Seeds- Pushin’ Too Hard

Buy Pushin’ Too Hard – The Seeds
Buy Pushin’ Too Hard (Original)Amazon

 

7.  James Brown- Ain’t That a Groove (Single Version)

Buy Ain’t That a Groove – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of James Brown
Buy Ain’t That A Groove (Single Version)Amazon

 

8.  Wilson Pickett- Mustang Sally

Buy Mustang Sally – The Wicked Pickett
Buy Mustang Sally (LP Version)Amazon

 

9.  John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers- All Your Love

Buy All Your Love (Stereo) – Blues Breakers (with Eric Clapton) [Remastered]
Buy All Your LoveAmazon

 

10.  The Small Faces- All or Nothing

Buy All or Nothing – The Very Best of the Small Faces, Vol. 1
Buy All Or NothingAmazon

 

11.  The Eyes- When the Night Falls

Buy When the Night Falls – Psychedelic ’60s – London Underground
Buy When the Night FallsAmazon

 

12.  Lou Christie- Lightning Strikes

Buy Lightning Strikes – 20 Songs Of Lou Christie
Buy Lightnin’ StrikesAmazon

 

13.  Count Five- Psychotic Reaction

Buy Psychotic Reaction – Psychotic Reaction
Buy Psychotic Reaction – OriginalAmazon

 

14.  The Who- Happy Jack

Buy Happy Jack (Single Version) – The Who: Greatest Hits
Buy Happy JackAmazon

 

15.  The Rolling Stones- Mother’s Little Helper

Buy Mother’s Little Helper – Aftermath (UK Version) [Remastered]
Buy Mother’s Little HelperAmazon

 

16.  The Other Half- Mr. Pharmacist

Buy Mr. Pharmacist – Devil’s Jukebox: Taboo 60s
Buy Mr. PharmacistAmazon

 

17.  Frank Zappa/Mothers Of Invention- Any Way the Wind Blows

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

18.  Love- 7 and 7 Is

Buy Seven and Seven Is – Da Capo
Buy Seven And Seven IsAmazon

 

19.  John Lee Hooker- One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

Buy One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer – The Best of John Lee Hooker, 1965-1974
Buy One Bourbon, One Scotch, One BeerAmazon

 

20.  Loretta Lynn- Don’t Come Home a-Drinkin’ With Lovin’ On Your Mind

Buy Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind) [Single Version] – The Definitive Collection: Loretta Lynn
Buy Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)Amazon

 

21.  Merle Haggard- The Bottle Let Me Down

Buy The Bottle Let Me Down – Hag – The Best of Merle Haggard
Buy The Bottle Let Me Down (2006 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

22.  Bob Dylan- Just Like a Woman

Buy Just Like a Woman – Blonde On Blonde
Buy Just Like A Woman (Album Version)Amazon

 

23.  The Isley Brothers- Work To Do

Buy Work to Do – The Essential Isley Brothers
Buy Work To DoAmazon

 

24.  The Supremes- Everything Is Good About You

Buy Everything Is Good About You – Gold: The Supremes
Buy Everything Is Good About YouAmazon

 

25.  Dusty Springfield- You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me

Buy You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me (Single) – The Very Best of Dusty Springfield (Polygram)
Buy You Don’t Have To Say You Love MeAmazon

 

26.  Simon & Garfunkel- I Am a Rock

Buy I Am a Rock – Sounds of Silence
Buy I Am A RockAmazon

 

27.  The Beatles- I’m Only Sleeping

Buy I’m Only Sleeping – Revolver
*Track not available via Amazon

Best of 1966 Volume 5 (3/11/06)

1.  Nancy Sinatra- These Boots Are Made for Walkin’

Buy These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Boots
Buy These Boots Are Made For Walkin’Amazon

 

2.  The Supremes- Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart

Buy Love Is Like an Itching In My Heart (Stereo) – Gold: The Supremes
Buy Love Is Like An Itching In My HeartAmazon

 

3.  The Temptations- Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

Buy Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – Number 1’s: The Temptations
Buy Beauty Is Only Skin DeepAmazon

 

4.  The Rascals- Good Lovin’

Buy Good Lovin’ – Time Peace – The Rascals’ Greatest Hits
Buy Good Lovin’ (Single Version)Amazon

 

5.  Neil Diamond- Cherry, Cherry

Buy Cherry Cherry – The Very Best of Neil Diamond
Buy Cherry Cherry (2011 Remastered Mono)Amazon

 

6.  The Elgins- Heaven Must Have Sent You

Buy Heaven Must Have Sent You (Single Version) [Mono] – The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966
Buy Heaven Must Have Sent YouAmazon

 

7.  Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels- Devil With the Blue Dresss/Good Golly Miss Molly

Buy Devil With the Blue Dress On / Good Golly Miss Molly – Breakout…!!!
Buy Devil With The Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly (LP Version)Amazon

 

8.  Bobby Fuller Four- Love’s Made a Fool of You

Buy Love’s Made a Fool of You – I Fought the Law – The Best of Bobby Fuller Four
Buy Love’s Made A Fool Of You (LP Version)Amazon

 

9.  ? & the Mysterians- 96 Tears

Buy 96 Tears – Cameo Parkway – The Best of ? & The Mysterians, 1966-1967
Buy 96 TearsAmazon

 

10.  Buffalo Springfield- Burned

Buy Burned – Buffalo Springfield
Buy BurnedAmazon

 

11.  Bobby Hebb- Sunny

Buy Sunny – Sunny
Buy SunnyAmazon

 

12.  Reparta & the Delrons- I’m Nobody’s Baby Now

Buy I’m Nobody’s Baby Now – Reparata & The Delrons
*Track not available via Amazon

 

13.  Evie Sands- I Can’t Let Go

Buy I Can’t Let Go – Northern Soul Kittens Volume
Buy I Can’t Let GoAmazon

 

14.  The Rolling Stones- 19th Nervous Breakdown

Buy 19th Nervous Breakdown – Singles Collection: The London Years (Remastered)
Buy 19th Nervous BreakdownAmazon

 

15.  Edwin Starr- S.O.S. (Stop Her On Sight)

Buy Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) – The Very Best of Edwin Starr
Buy Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.)Amazon

 

16.  The Kinks- Dead End Street

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

17.  The Music Machine- Talk Talk

Buy Talk Talk – Turn On
*Track not available via Amazon

 

18.  Them- I Can Only Give You Everything

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

19.  James & Bobby Purify- I’m Your Puppet

Buy I’m Your Puppet – Shake a Tail Feather! The Best of James and Bobby Purify
Buy I’m Your PuppetAmazon

 

20.  Bob Kuban & the Inmen- The Cheater

Buy The Cheater – Super 60s Hits, Vol. 2
Buy The CheaterAmazon

 

21.  The Beatles- She Said She Said

Buy She Said She Said – Revolver
*Track not available via Amazon

 

22.  Simon & Garfunkel- Scarborough Fair/Canticle

Buy Scarborough Fair / Canticle – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Remastered)
Buy Scarborough Fair/CanticleAmazon

 

23.  Bob Dylan- Visions of Johanna

Buy Visions of Johanna – Blonde On Blonde
Buy Visions Of Johanna (Album Version)Amazon

 

24.  The Beach Boys- You Still Believe in Me

Buy You Still Believe In Me (Stereo Version) – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy You Still Believe In Me (The Stereo Mix) (1996 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

25.  Billy Stewart- Summertime

Buy Sitting in the Park (Single) – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Billy Stewart
Buy SummertimeAmazon

 

26.  Carla Thomas- B-A-B-Y

Buy B-A-B-Y (Single Version) – Rhino Hi-Five – Carla Thomas – EP
BuyB-A-B-Y (Single/LP Version)Amazon

Best of 1966 Volume 6 (3/12/06)

1.  The Shadows Of the Knight- Gloria

Buy Gloria – Gloria
Buy Gloria (LP Version)Amazon

 

2.  Tommy James & the Shondells- Hanky Panky

Buy Hanky Panky – Hanky Panky
Buy Hanky Panky (Single Version)Amazon

 

3.  Koko Taylor- Wang Dang Doodle (Single Version)

Buy Wang Dang Doodle (Single Version) – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Blues Classics
Buy Wang Dang DoodleAmazon

 

4.  Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band- Good Morning Little Schoolgirl

Buy Good Morning Schoolgirl – Hoodoo Man Blues
Buy Good Morning SchoolgirlAmazon

 

5.  John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers- Key to Love

Buy Key to Love – Blues Breakers (with Eric Clapton) [Remastered]
Buy Key To Love (Album Version – Stereo)Amazon

 

6.  Johnny Rivers- Secret Agent Man

Buy Secret Agent Man – Johnny Rivers: Greatest Hits
Buy Secret Agent ManAmazon

 

7.  Bobby Moore & the Rhythm Aces- Searching For My Love

Buy Searching for My Love (W/The Rhythm Aces) – Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest (The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection)
Buy Searching For My LoveAmazon

 

8.  Blues Magoos- (We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet

Buy (We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet – Kaliedescope Compendium – The Best of the Blues Magoos
Buy (We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ YetAmazon

 

9.  The Outsiders- Time Won’t Let Me

Buy Time Won’t Let Me – Capitol Collectors Series
Buy Time Won’t Let MeAmazon

 

10.  The Yardbirds- Happenings Ten Years Ago

Buy Happenings Ten Years Time Ago – Roger the Engineer / Over Under Sideways Down (Remastered)
Buy Happenings Ten Years Time AgoAmazon

 

11.  Nancy Sinatra- So Long, Babe

Buy So Long, Babe – Boots
Buy So Long, BabeAmazon

 

12.  Jr. Walker & the All Stars- (I’m a) Roadrunner

Buy (I’m A) Road Runner – The Ultimate Collection: Junior Walker & The All Stars
Buy (I’m A) Road RunnerAmazon

 

13.  Robert Parker- Barefootin’

Buy Barefootin’ – Barefootin’
Buy Barefootin’ – OriginalAmazon

 

14.  The Buffalo Springfield- Flying On the Ground is Wrong

Buy Flying On the Ground Is Wrong – Buffalo Springfield
Buy Flying On The Ground Is WrongAmazon

 

15.  Bob Dylan- Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Buy Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – Blonde On Blonde
Buy Rainy Day Women #12 & 35Amazon

 

16.  Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention- Hungry Freaks Daddy

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

17.  Donovan- Mellow Yellow

Buy Mellow Yellow (Single Version) – The Essential Donovan
Buy Mellow Yellow (Single Version)Amazon

 

18.  The Rolling Stones- Lady Jane

Buy Lady Jane – Aftermath
Buy Lady JaneAmazon

 

19.  James Brown- Don’t Be a Dropout (Single Version)

Buy Don’t Be a Dropout – James Brown: The Singles, Vol. 4 – 1966-1967
Buy Don’t Be A DropoutAmazon

 

20.  The Kinks- I’m Not Like Everybody Else

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

21.  the Beach Boys- Hang Onto Your Ego

Buy Hang On To Your Ego (Mono Version) – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy Hang On To Your EgoAmazon

 

22.  Merke Haggard- Swingin’ Doors

Buy Swinging Doors – Best of the Best
Buy Swingin’ DoorsAmazon

 

23.  Simon & Garfunkel- Homeward Bound

Buy Homeward Bound – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Remastered)
Buy Homeward BoundAmazon

 

24.  The Beatles- Here, There, Everywhere

Buy Here, There and Everywhere – Revolver
*Track not available via Amazon

 

25.  Them- It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

*This version not available on iTunes
Buy It’s All Over Now Baby BlueAmazon

Best of 1966 Volume 7 (6/6/12)

1.  The Monks- Monk Time

Buy Monk Time – Black Monk Time
Buy Monk TimeAmazon

 

2.  Cream- N.S.U.

Buy N.S.U. – Fresh Cream (Remastered)

Buy N.S.U.Amazon

 

3.  Jimi Hendrix Experience- Hey Joe

Buy Hey Joe – Are You Experienced
Buy Hey JoeAmazon

 

4.  The Rolling Stones- Have You Seen Your Mother Baby Standing in the Shadow?

Buy Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In the Shadow? – Flowers (Remastered)
Buy Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?Amazon

 

5.  The Mojo Men- She’s My Baby

Buy She’s My Baby – 60s Indie Garage
Buy She’s My Baby (2007 Remastered Album Version)Amazon

 

6.  Paul Rever & the Raiders- Kicks

Buy Kicks (Single Version) – Greatest Hits
Buy Kicks (Single Version)Amazon

 

7.  The Harbinger Complex- I Think I’m Down

Buy I Think I’m Down – A Pot Of Flowers
*Track not available via Amazon

 

8.  Lee Dorsey- Working in a Coalmine

Buy Working In a Coalmine (Original) – Lee Dorsey Selected Hits
Buy Working In A Coalmine – OriginalAmazon

 

9.  The Who- I’m a Boy

Buy I’m a Boy (Stereo Version) – The Ultimate Collection
Buy I’m A BoyAmazon

 

10.  The Knickerbockers- One Track Mind

Buy One Track Mind – Best of The Knickerbockers
Buy One Track MindAmazon

 

11.  Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston- It Takes Two

Buy It Takes Two – Gold: Marvin Gaye
Buy It Takes TwoAmazon

 

12.  The Chiffons- Sweet Talkin’ Guy

Buy Sweet Talkin’ Guy (Remastered) – Absolutely the Best!
Buy Sweet Talkin’ GuyAmazon

 

13.  The Troggs- With a Girl Like You

Buy With A Girl Like You – The Best of The Troggs
Buy With A Girl Like YouAmazon

 

14.  The Supremes- He’s All I Got

Buy He’s All I Got – The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966
Buy He’s All I GotAmazon

 

15.  Otis Redding- My Lover’s Prayer

Buy My Lover’s Prayer (Single Version) – The Dictionary of Soul
Buy My Lover’s PrayerAmazon

 

16.  The Left Banke- Walk Away Renee

Buy Walk Away Renee – There’s Gonna Be a Storm – The Complete Recordings 1966-1969
Buy Walk Away ReneeAmazon

 

17.  Percy Sledge- It Tears Me Up

Buy It Tears Me Up – The Ultimate Collection – When a Man Loves a Woman
Buy It Tears Me UpAmazon

 

18.  Buffalo Springfield- Sit Down I Think I Love You

Buy Sit Down I Think I Love You – Buffalo Springfield
Buy Sit Down I Think I Love YouAmazon

 

19.  The Yardbirds- What Do You Want

Buy What Do You Want – Roger the Engineer / Over Under Sideways Down (Remastered)
Buy What Do You WantAmazon

 

20.  Dusty Springfield- Goin’ Back

Buy Goin’ Back – The Very Best of Dusty Springfield (Polygram)
Buy Goin’ BackAmazon

 

21.  Simon & Garfunkel- The Dangling Conversation

Buy The Dangling Conversation – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Remastered)
Buy The Dangling ConversationAmazon

 

22.  The Beach Boys- I Just Wasn’t Made for These Time

Buy I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Mono Version) – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (The Stereo Mix) (1996 Digital Remaster)Amazon

 

23.  The Beatles- Eleanor Rigby

Buy Eleanor Rigby – Revolver
*Track not available via Amazon

 

24.  Bob Dylan- Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

Buy Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands – Blonde On Blonde
Buy Sad-Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands (Album Version)Amazon

Best of 1966 Volume 8 (6/6/12)

1.  Ennio Morricone- the Good, the Bad & the Ugly (Motion Picture Theme)

Buy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Titles) – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Buy The good, the bad and the ugly (Titles)Amazon

 

2.  Derrick Morgan- Tougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court)

Buy Tougher Than Tough (Rudie In Court) – Moon Hop – Best of the Early Years 1960-’69
Buy Rougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court)Amazon

 

3.  The Animals- Inside Looking Out

Buy Inside, Looking Out – Retrospective
Buy Inside – Looking OutAmazon

 

4.  The Rolling Stones- Take It Or Leave It

Buy Take It or Leave It – Flowers (Remastered)
Buy Take It Or Leave ItAmazon

 

5.  Chris Farlowe- Think

Buy Think – Original – The R&B Years
Buy Think – OriginalAmazon

 

6.  Lee Dorsey- Get Out Of My Life Woman

Buy Get Out of My Life, Woman (Original) – Lee Dorsey Selected Hits
Buy Get Out Of My Life, Woman – OriginalAmazon

 

7.  The Contours- Just a Little Misunderstanding

Buy Just a Little Misunderstanding (Single Version) – The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966
Buy Just A Little MisunderstandingAmazon

 

8.  Aaron Neville- Tell It Like It Is

Buy Tell It Like It Is – Tell It Like It Is – The Par Lo Years
Buy Tell It Like It IsAmazon

 

9.  Buffalo Springfield- Go and Say Goodbye

Buy Go and Say Goodbye – Buffalo Springfield

Buy Go And Say GoodbyeAmazon

 

10.  Bob Dylan- Most Likely You’ll Go our Way and I’ll Go Mine

Buy Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) – Blonde On Blonde
Buy Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) (Album Version)Amazon

 

11.  Paul Butterfield Blues Band- East West

Buy East-West – East-West
Buy East-WestAmazon

 

12.  Cannonball Adderly- Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Buy Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – The Best of Cannonball Adderley – The Capitol Years
Buy Mercy, Mercy, MercyAmazon

 

13.  The Gants- Crackin’ Up

Buy Crackin’ Up – Road Runner! The Best of the Gants
*Track not available via Amazon

 

14.  The Monkees- Papa Gene’s Blues

Buy Papa Gene’s Blues – The Monkees
Buy Papa Gene’s BluesAmazon

 

15.  The Monks- Complicated

Buy Complication – Black Monk Time
Buy ComplicationAmazon

 

16.  We The People- You Burn Me Up and Down

Buy You Burn Me Up and Down – Too Much Noise
Buy You Burn Me Up and DownAmazon

 

17.  Paul Revere & the Raiders- Hungry

Buy Hungry – The Essential Ride: The Best of Paul Revere & the Raiders
Buy HungryAmazon

 

18. The Kinks- Dandy

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

19.  Frank Zappa/Mothers Of Invention- Motherly Love

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

20.  Otis Redding- Cigarettes and Coffee

Buy Cigarettes and Coffee – The Soul Album
Buy Cigarettes and CoffeeAmazon

 

21.  The Beatles- Paperback Writer

Buy Paperback Writer – Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2
*Track not available via Amazon

 

22.  Stevie Wonder- A Place in the Sun

Buy A Place in the Sun – Stevie Wonder: Greatest Hits
Buy A Place In The SunAmazon

 

23.  The Beach Boys- Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)

Buy Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) [Mono Version] – Pet Sounds (Mono / Stereo)
Buy Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (1996 Digital Remaster)Amazon